Ministry is an essential element of Christian life. In Christ's life, ministry was a manifestation of His gratuitous love. He administered to people's needs not because they deserved it, not because He expected something in return. On the other hand, the Christian's call to ministry consists in a recognition of God's immense love for him or her - an awareness that gives birth to an impelling desire to share that experience with others. The greater that recognition, the greater the urge to serve becomes. The women mentioned in the Gospel were such people - they experience Jesus serving them so they went about following and serving Him.

The responsorial psalm praises such people: "Happy the poor in spirit . . ." Their humble disposition sensitizes them into perceiving the actions of God in their lives. Their sense of gratitude quickens them into running to the service of others.

The First Letter of Timothy has a similar theme. Christians are enjoined to perform the tasks entrusted to them "since those who will profit from their work are believers and beloved brothers."